Drivers reminded to move over for official vehicles

Friday

RALEIGH — The Move Over law was enacted in 2002, but a recent survey shows that 71 percent of the motoring public are still unaware of the law.

RALEIGH — The Move Over law was enacted in 2002, but a recent survey shows that 71 percent of the motoring public are still unaware of the law.

The law was enacted to protect law enforcement officers and emergency workers stopped alongside highways.

According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, more than 164 law enforcement officers nationwide have been struck and killed by vehicles along America’s highways since 1999. Many others, including citizens involved in highway accidents, have been struck and injured.

The Move Over law directs motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside.

In the fall of 2012, the law was revised to include public service vehicles. Public services vehicles are described as any vehicle that is being used to assist motorists or law enforcement officers with wrecked or disabled vehicles, or a vehicle being used to install, maintain or restore utility service, including electric, cable, telephone, communications and gas. These vehicles must display amber lights.

The penalty for violating the law is a $250 fine plus court costs. Motorists can face misdemeanor charges for causing personal injury or property damage greater than $500 and felony charges for severe injury or death in the immediate area of a stopped emergency vehicle or public service vehicle.

The Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety have been working to educate motorists about the Move Over law since its inception.

In part, the law states:

* Motorists who are driving on a four-lane highway are required to move their vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle.

* Motorists who are traveling on a two-lane highway are required to slow their vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions and operate the vehicle at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle.

Throughout the state, numerous signs have been erected stating Move Over or Reduce Speed for Stopped Emergency Vehicles. The signs are installed along interstate and U.S. routes to educate and warn motorists but more importantly, to save lives.

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